ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has launched a strongly worded criticism of the political leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing it of failing to take ownership of civilian victims of terrorism and alleging that some elements within the provincial leadership have supported militants.
The statements also mentionedthe political and security tensions between the federal government and the KP leadership, while invoking the role of former prime minister Imran Khan and the events surrounding militancy in the province.
In his statement, the defence minister questioned whether the provincial leadership had visited the families of civilian victims of terrorism to offer condolences.
“Tell me if you have visited even one home of a civilian martyr to offer Fateha,” he said, challenging his political opponents to demonstrate their commitment to the families affected by terrorism.
اپنے صوبے کے جن معصوم شہیدوں کی آپ بات کر رہے ھیں فوجی شہداء کی بات رہنے دیں آپ شہری شہداء کی اونر شپ لینے سے بھی انکاری ھیں۔ ذرا بتائیں کسی ایک سولین شہید کے گھر بھی فاتحہ کے لئیے گئے ھیں ۔ یہ دھشت گردی انکا لیڈر عمران خان پختونخواہ میں لیکر آیا وہ انکو اس KP میں بسانے کا سب سے بڑا حامی تھا۔ اسمبلی کی تقاریر اور میڈیا کا ریکارڈ گواہ ھے۔ اس پر میر ے ساتھ tv پہ مناظرہ کر لیں ۔ مرکز سے اقتدار جانے کے بعد ھر چیف منسٹر نے وفاق پر حملہ کیا ۔ 9مئی اسکے علاوہ۔ پوری KP کی لیڈر شپ سرکار کا ما ل خود بھی لوٹتے ھیں اور دھشت گردوں کو حصہ بھتے کی صورت دیتی ھیں ۔ آپ دھشت گردوں کے پارٹنر ھیں۔ جو خون KP میں بہہ رہا ھے آپ کے ھاتھ بھی اس خون سے رنگے ھیں۔ قوم آ پ سے حساب لے گی اور خدا بھی۔
اسلام آباد میرے وطن کی وحدت کا نشان ھے ۔ وفاق کی علامت ھے۔ 25کروڑ پاکستانیوں کی شناخت ھے۔ ھمارے شہید اپنے مقدس خون سے اس کی آبیاری کرتے ھیں۔ ھم نے سال قبل اپنے ازلی دشمن کا غرور مٹی میں ملایا ۔ پاکستانی عوام اور بہادر افواج اندرونی و بیرونی دشمنوں سے ٹکرانے کا حوصلہ رکھتے ھیں ۔ انشا ء اللہ پاکستان ھمیشہ زندہ باد
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 4, 2026
Asif further alleged that the leadership associated with Imran Khan had supported the presence of militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He referred to speeches in the provincial assembly and media statements as evidence for his claims and challenged his opponents to debate the issue with him on television.
The defence minister made serious allegations against the KP leadership, claiming that elements within the provincial political structure were involved in corruption and that some were allegedly providing financial support to militants.
He accused his opponents of becoming “partners” of terrorists and said that they would eventually be held accountable for the bloodshed in the province.
The allegations come amid continued political disagreements between the federal government and the KP administration over security, governance and the province’s handling of militancy.
Islamabad Described as Symbol of National Unity
Turning to the federal capital, Khawaja Asif described Islamabad as a symbol of Pakistan’s unity and a representation of the federation.
He said the sacrifices of Pakistani security personnel and other citizens had helped protect the country and its national institutions. The minister also referred to Pakistan’s confrontation with its “eternal enemy” and praised the Pakistani public and armed forces for their ability to face both internal and external threats.
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The allegations made in the statement represent the defence minister’s political position, while the concerned KP and opposition leadership may offer their own response to the accusations.
